Chamber Honors Pair, Business

Two Lehigh Valley business executives and an area business werehonored last night by the Allentown-Lehigh County Chamber of Commerce for their business and community achievements.

Robert K. Campbell, president and chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Power & Light Co., and Robert D. Edwards, former president and part owner of Orkin Steel Co. of Slatington, received the chamber's Distinguished Services Awards.

Campbell told almost 600 people at the chamber's 80th annual banquet at the Holiday Inn West, South Whitehall Township, that he was particularly gratified because "we live in a community where the business people recognize that leadership must come from their ranks to bring economic development and jobs to the community."

"That's one of the things that makes our community so special," he said.

Noting that Rudyard Kipling once said that gardens are made beautiful because of gardeners, he said, "We are very blessed to have very good gardeners."

Edwards said he had attended many of the chamber's annual dinners but said, "I will never forget this 80th annual banquet.

"I have received many awards," he said, "but receiving this award is the highlight of my life. . . . I have never been so happy."

Crowder's award was accepted by Joseph Halaska, the company's executive vice president. "We believe, as Gen. Trexler believed," he said, "that the free enterprise system and the private sector can provide answers to most of America's problems. Crowder Jr. Co. is committed to being part of this answer in the Lehigh Valley."

The featured speaker was Matthew V. Scocozza, assistant secretary for policy and international affairs for the U.S. Department of Transportation. He spoke on the "How Safe Are Your Travel Plans?"